Tonight is the first debate for the Democratic mayoral primary featuring Mayor Bill de Blasio and challenger Sal Albanese.

Tonight, the first debate for the Democratic mayoral primary race featuring Mayor Bill de Blasio and challenger Sal Albanese will be held at Symphony Space in Manhattan starting at 7 p.m. Tune into the debate via NY1’s livestream.

Albanese, a former City Councilman, ran for mayor four years ago and finished eighth in a nine-person Democratic field. Again, he has raised significantly less money than de Blasio. He has criticized the mayor on corruption and public safety. Three other Democratic mayoral candidates didn’t make the debate cut because they haven’t raised and spent the minimum $150,000 required by law (changed by de Blasio and Council allies last year).

Candidates who participate in the matching funds program and meet nonpartisan, objective, and nondiscriminatory criteria set by the CFB and its debate sponsors must participate in the debates. Candidates who are not participating in the matching funds program may be invited to participate in the debates, if they meet the same criteria.

The CFB has administered the Debate Program in every citywide election since 1997. The debates are a core component of NYC Votes. Individual debates are sponsored by outside media and civic groups. NYC Votes is the nonpartisan voter engagement initiative of the New York City Campaign Finance Board and its Voter Assistance Advisory Committee.

Author: Michael Benjamin
Michael Benjamin is a public affairs consultant and an editorial board member at The New York Post. He is a former contributing columnist to the NY Post, City and State NY and other publications. He is a former Member of the New York State Assembly (2003-2010) and once led the Bronx Board of Elections. Since leaving office, he has appeared as a commentator on TWC NY1, Bronxnet OPEN, Good Day NY, and Al Jazeera America. His columns and blog focus on corruption, government, education, politics, redistricting, nuclear energy and race. He holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University.